Tahoe Resources said it will develop a comprehensive Indigenous Peoples Policy in 2018 to guide its relations with Indigenous peoples across its operations.
In Canada, Tahoe operates the Timmins West and Bell Creek underground mines and the Bell Creek Mill, which it acquired in 2016 with the purchase of Lake Shore Gold.
Tahoe’s other operations include the Escobal silver mine in Guatemala and the La Arena and Shahuindo gold mines in Peru.
The company said the announcement stems from its participation in the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), and Tahoe will align its operation with the compact’s 10 principles on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.
"We understand the importance of respecting the Indigenous individuals and communities in the areas in and around our operations,” said Ron Clayton, Tahoe’s president and CEO, in a Feb. 13 news release.
“In conjunction with formalizing an Indigenous Peoples Policy, we are working to take a more proactive approach to improving key relationships with Indigenous peoples near our operations.”
The company said the policy would provide a framework to guide “honest, transparent dialogue” between the company and Indigenous peoples with regard to impact benefit agreements and similar agreements between companies and nearby Indigenous communities.
